On Saturday, July 14, 2012, Sean Andrews wrote:
> This seems like a very provocative article so far. Only a few pages in,
> but surprised I hadn't heard of it. He has a scathing critique of the most
> radical elements of the late 60s - I use that term as an unfortunate
> shorthand for email communication, not as a pprovocation in itelf, Dr. Cox.
> I may be behind the curve on this one, but I don't recall a conversation
> here on it.
>
> From ‘Left-Fascism’ to Campus Anti-Semitism: Radicalism as Reaction
>
> http://dissentmagazine.org/democratiya/article.php?article=226
>
> Incidentally, I was led to the article by Catherine Liu's book American
> Idyll. Doug had an interview with her a few months back. It is also quite
> provocative and I was surprised at how unusual it is - and how closely her
> argument tracks those resistant to the notion that antiintellectualism is a
> thoroughly disabling starting position for a radical movement. She also
> digs deeply into the origins of testing in education (tying it to the
> misappropriation of Dewey and pragmatism in general by opportunist,
> reactionary elites.) I think this was the main topic of Doug's chat with
> her, but there is really a lot more to her book than that. Sometimes it
> sees to wander a bit, but that may be because this is the first serious
> book like this I've attempted to read on the Kindle. Messes with you.
>
> Anyway both seem of interest to people on the list so I thought I'd see if
> anyone had read or talked about these works. Liu also has a very nice
> recuperation and contextualizarion of Adorno's long essay on the astrology
> column of the LA Times, "The stars down to earth." Has sent me to the
> latter work, which is an amazing discussion of the irrational in culture -
> a much more sophisticated and empathetic Thomas Frank a la What's the
> Matter with Kansas. Good stuff.
>
> Hope all's well,
> Sean
>